Visit the French Riviera

14 July, 2013

The Cote d’Azur or French Riviera as it is also known is a strip of coastline that is located in southeast France. While there isn’t a defined boundary it is generally accepted that it includes Monaco, Toulon and Saint-Tropez and it runs from the border with Italy. The area started to be popular in the 18th century and by the 19th century, when trains were first seen on the French Riviera it was the destination to be seen in.

Today more than 14 million people travel to the French Riviera to soak up the sun, enjoy the atmosphere and participate in some of the events that take place there. These events include the Formula One Grand Prix at Monaco, the Nice Jazz Festival, and the Cannes Film Festival.

But what else does the French Riviera have to offer visitors?

La Croisette Boulevard in the centre of Cannes is a wonderful place to visit if you are looking for all of the glamour and style of the French Riviera. Here you can indulge yourself in the shops and boutiques, dine in fine restaurants and party the night away in one of the many exclusive clubs. While you are in the area you should also explore Cannes outside of this boulevard. It might seem a little quiet when the film festival is not underway but it is a charming and quaint place that is filled with things to see.

To experience traditional Nice visit Vieux Nice or Nice Old Town as it is also known. Here you can wander through the narrow streets, take a look at the Baroque architecture, take a look in local shops, sit and people watch in one of the squares and so much more. This is a great place for people of all ages to visit.

Monaco is the world’s smallest country and it is the place to be if you are looking for entertainment. Go to the world famous Monte Carlo Casino, go shopping or enjoy a glass of wine in one of the bars. Monaco is also a good place to take a guided tour so you can really get to grips with the area.

The French Riviera is known for its perfume and if this is something that interests you the International Museum of Perfume in Grasse is a fantastic place to visit. Here you can learn all about the perfume industry and take a trip back through time to see how it used to be made.

If history is your thing make your way to one of the many castles or monasteries on the Riviera. The Musee de la Castre or Castle Museum is a wonderful example of a medieval castle and it houses works of art, musical instruments dating back to the 12th century and more.

These are just a small selection of the many attractions that you can experience on the French Riviera. There are of course many more to discover in this beautiful part of the world.

This is a guest post by Charles from Escapon, the site where you can find budget travel deals for holiday destinations across Europe and the rest of the world.